Machine for cutting lenses



(No Model.) 4 sheets-#meet a. J. B. GURY.

` MA'GHlNE FOR CUTTING LENSES.

NQ. 554,671. Patented Peb. i18, 1396.

JN0 Model.) 4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

J. B. GURY.. MACHINE PoR GUTTING LBNSES.

N0.554,677. Patented Feb.18, 1896.

WineSSe of. @www ileiirnn STATES IPATENT OFFICE.

JOIIN BAPTISTE GURY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

NiACHlNE FOR CUTTING LENSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 554,677, dated February 18, 1896.

Application iiled May 14, 1895. Serial No. 549,269. (No model.)

.2"0 all whom it' may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN BAPTISTE GURY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Machine for Cutting Lenses, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful machine for cutting lenses, and more particularly for cutting lenses for spectacles or eyeglasses. I-Ieretofore these lenses have been cut by hand or by a machine which would only cut one size and shape of lens.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which can be adjusted to cut any shape of lens, from a circle to that having` the greatest desired degree of ellipticity, and which can be independently adj usted to cut any desired size of lens. The lenses can thus be cut to fit any frame with absolute accuracy and need no fitting such as is necessary with hand-cut glasses. vThe work is thus accomplished with a great saving of time and expense, as no skilled labor is required to operate the machine.

In the accompanying drawings,wliich illustrate a machine embodying one form of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation thereof on a reduced scale. Fig. 2 is a front elevation on a reduced scale. Fig. 3 is a top view on the iine 3 3 of Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, the parts being in a different position. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an isometric projection of a detail. Fig. 7 is an isometric projection of the parts regulating the eccentric or elliptical motion of the part carrying the lens. Figs. 8 and 9 are isometric projections of details. Fig. lO is a top view. Fig. 10 is an isometric projection of a modification of the device for holding the diamond. Fig. 11 is a vertical section through part of the machine at right anglesto that shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 12 is an isometric projection of a detail. Fig. 13 is an isometric projection of the parts secured to the under side of that shown in Fig..12. Fig. 14 is an isometric projection of the mechanism for regulating the size of the lens cut with the machine. Fig. 15V is an isometric projection of a detail. Fig. 16 is an isometric projection of a modification of the device for holding the diamond.

Like marks of reference refer to similar parts in all the views of the drawings.

15*L is a main frame or standard supported by a base 16a. The frame 15a has an upward extension 17 bearing a projection 18 containing a pin 19. Said frame also has a lateral extension 20, Figs. l and 10, carrying a vertical cylindrical part 21 for supporting the main part of the machine. On the cylindrical part 21 is a horizontal cylindrical proj ection 22, Fig. 1. These parts are preferably cast in one, with the exception of the pin 19, which is iirst turned and then placed in the projection 18. A bevel gear-wheel 23, having formed on it a collar 24, suitably secured to a crank-handle 25, is revolubly secured to the projection 22 by the screw-pin 26, upon which said parts rotate.

Passing through the cylindrical projection.

21 is a sleeve 27, Figs. 5 and 8, having formed on it a disk or collar 28. From opposite sides of the upper end of the sleeve 27 two segments are removed, leaving a flattened portion 29, Fig. 8. This rod is secured in the part 2l by means of a set-screw 30, Fig. 5. Through the sleeve 27 passes a rod or stem 31, Figs. 5, 7, and 1l, having formed 011 its upper end a disk 32 and a spur pinion-wheel 33. The rod or stem 31 also passes through a slotted cam-disk 34, Figs. 5, 7, and 10, having an upwardlyeXtending peripheral rim 35. To this cam-disk 34 is screwed, or otherwise suitably secured, a rack 36, engaging with the pinion-wheel 33 on the rod 31. The slot in the cam disk 34, (shown black in Fig. 7,) through which the rod 3l passes, is vmade large enough to receive the flattened portion 29 of the sleeve 27. This prevents the camdisk 34 from turning independently of the sleeve 27, so that by turning the rod 31 the cam-disk 34 can be moved eccentrically to the disk 28. y

37, Fig. 12, is a threaded disk or rotary member having formed in it a radial slot 38, through which passes the sleeve 27. This disk 37 has formed upon the upper side, at right angles to the slot 38, two segments 39, the distance between them being just suffi- IOO cient to receive the cam-disk 34, which camdisk prevents said segments from being seen in Fig. 5. The disk 37 also has formed on it a flange 4.0. To the under side of the disk 37 are screwed, or otherwise suitably secured, two segments 4:1, having flanges 42, forming a guideway parallel to the slot 38 for receiving the disk 28 on the sleeve 27, Figs. 5, 8, and 11. In the lower side of one of the segments 41 is formed a groove 43, Figs. 5 and 13. The adjacent edges of the flanges 4-2 form a guideway for a collar 4i, Figs. 5 and 11, on a circular plate 45, through which the sleeve 27 passes. In this plate 4:5 is set a pin 4G, Fig. 5, which projects into the groove t3 in the segment l1, and thus prevents the segments 41 and disk 37, to which they are attached, from rotating independently of the plate 15. To the lower side oi' said plate -15 is screwed, or otherwise suitably secu red,a bevel gear-wheel 47, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, which engages with the bevel gear-wheel 23, Figs. 1 and 2, heretofore described, by which it is driven.

The rod or stem 31, Figs. 5 and 7, extends below the hollow rod 27 and is provided with a pin 48, which projects into the groove eti) formed in the adjust1nent-nut 50, Figs. 1, 2, and 5. This nut 50 provides means for turning the r'od 31 and thus moving the canrdisk 31 eccentric to said rod, and is graduated around its conical surface, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the disk 31 can be moved accurately to any desired degree of eceentricity. Said nut 50 is held in the desired position by a lock-nut 51 on the threaded portion 52 of the rod 31. rlhe sleeve 27 projects slightly below the part 21, Fig. 5, so that when the lock-nut 51 is screwed against the nut 50 the bevel gear-wheel 47 will not be drawn down against the part 21, and the rotation of the parts of the machine thus prevented.

53 is an internally-threaded cap which is screwed upon the threaded disk 37. From the top of this cap 53 extends a spindle 54, Figs. 5 and 1l, passing through the hollow cy lindrieal portion 55 of a movable frame 5G. The spindle 5ft has a reduced portion 57 Figs. 2 and 5, around which is fastened, by means of two screws 58, Figs. 1 and 2, a collar 50. The lower part of this collar 59 is bored out larger than the part 57, as shown in Fig. 5, and in this space is placed an antifrictionbearing GO, Fig. G, consisting of a loose ring G1, having four wheels G2 journaled upon it by pins extending therefrom. The purpose of this is to reduce the friction between the collar 59 and the part 55. The reduced part 57 of the spindle 5l is hollow, and has placed in it a spiral spring 63, Fig. 5. Into said part 57 projects a pin 64, which engages with a groove or key-seat (S5, Figs. 5 and 15, in a part or spindle 66, which serves as one of the parts between which the lens to be cut is held. A

portion` of the top of this part G6 is removed, leaving an annular ledge G7, Fig. 15, to better accommodate the curved surface of the lens. Through the center of the top of this part 66 two lines are drawn at right angles to each other to aid in centering the lens. The upper lateral extension 68 of the frame 5G, Figs. 2 and 5, is provided with a cylindrical portion G9, through which passes a rod or spindle 70, in the lower end of which is a depression into which projects a pin 71 on a part 72, which is similar to the upper portion of the part or spindle 66. Between these parts 72 and GG the lens to be cut is held during the operation of cutting. The rod is provided with a bifureated portion 7 3, between which the hand-lever '74 comes, Asaid hand-lever being connected to said rod by a pin passing through said bifurcated portion and a slot /5 in the lever 7i. The hand-lever 74: is pivoted by means of a pin to an extension 76011 the frame 56, and is provided with a hook or dog 78, which engages with a tooth 7 9 set in a projection 8O on the cylindrical portion G9. frame 56 also has a projection 81, Figs 1 and 10, to which is secured one end of the bifurcated rod 82, Figs. 1 and 10, (shown in detail in Fig. 9,) the forked end of which passes around the pin 19 on the projection 18 of the main frame 17, and thus prevents the frame 5G from rotating, but permits said frame to have such motion as will allow the end thereof through which the spindle 51 passes to have a circular translatory motionV at the same time the spindle 54E is rotating on its axis. The pin 1f), Figs. 1 and 10, pivots the biturcated rod 82 and at the same time allows said rod to slide back and forth on it.

lThe diamond 83, Fig. 2, for cutting the lens 84C is held in a matrix 83, firmly secured in a collar 85 on a bar 8G, Figs. 1 and 10, secured to a projection 87, Figs. 1, 1l), and 14, on a plate 88, which is dovetailed into a thickened portion 89, Figs. 2 and 14, on the upward extension 17 of the main frame 15. From the end of the bar 86 extends a spiral spring 90, Fig. 1, which is secured to the main frame 15 by means oi a hook 91. The spring 90 is of such length that the diamond will not be pressed against the lens when the hook 78 is disengaging from the notch 7 9 and the handlever 7 4 is allowed to rise, but will press firmly against the lens when the hand-lever is depressed and hooked in place, as shawnT in Figs. 2 and 5. Instead of securing the matrix 83n rigidly in the collar 85, it may be mounted as shown in- Fig. 10, iu which case the matrix 83 is provided with a rod 8l passing loosely through the collar 85. To the end of the rod 84E is secured a U -shaped piece 85, the arms of which pass on either side of the frame 56 and bear on two semicylindrical projections 5Gn secured to said frame.

X'Vhen the machine is in operation the circular translatory motion of the frame 5G will impart an oscillatory motion to the arms of the U-shaped piece 851L and thus cause the diamond to be rotated for some distance. The same faces of the diamond are thus kept tangent to the curve of the ellipse-that is, the same cutting-edge of the diamond is always The y IIO presented to the lens-and thereby the wear upon the point of the diamond lessened and a smoother cut made upon the lens.

Formed on the plate 88 at the opposite end from the projection 87 is a rearward projec-v tion 92, Fig. 14, through which passes a threaded bolt 93, Figs. 2, 10, and 14, provided with a circular head 94, by means of which it is rotated. Said threaded bolt 93 screws into a projection 95, Fig. 14, on the part 89 and is prevented from sliding in the part 92 by means of two collars 96, Figs. 10 and 14, placed on it at each side thereof. By turning the circular head 94 of the threaded bolt 93 the plate will be moved along the part 89 and the diamond thus adjusted at any desired distance from the parts 66 and 72 holding the lens.

To aid in setting the diamond at the required distance, the top of the part S9 is provided with a graduated scale and the top of the plate S8 with a mark or index adapted to register with the graduations of said scale. To render the adjustment more accurate and easily made, the periphery of the circular head 94 of the bolt 93 is provided with two graduations diametrically opposite, Figs. 2, 10, and 14, and the projection 92 provided with a pin 97 terminating in juxtaposition to said circular head. The pin 97 has upon it a line or index-niark adapted to register with the graduations on the head 94.

Fig. 16 illustrates a modification of the mechanism for holding the diamond. It is arranged to hold two diamonds, and is intended for cutting lenses of more than ordinary thickness. 98 are two arms in the ends of which the diamonds 83 are held. These bars are pivoted to the projection 87 and are drawn together by a coil-spring 99. Between them is placed an oval or elongated cam 100, also pivoted to the projection 87. Secured to a pin projecting from the cam 100 is a lever or handle 101. By raising or lowering this handle the cam 100 is rotated and the arms 9S caused to diverge from eachother and separate the diamonds 83, so that the lens can be placed in the machine or removed from it.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The head 94 of the bolt 93 is turned until the distance of the diamond-point from the center of the part G6 (when set for a circle) is one-halt'l the shorter axis of the ellipse desired. The adj ustment-nut 50is then turned until the disk 34 is moved out of center a distance equal to one-half of the difference between the longer and short axes of said ellipse. The hook 7 S of the hand-lever 74 is then disengaged from the tooth 79 and the hand-lever is raised, carrying with it the rod or spindle and part 72. The spring 63 raises the part G6 until its top is above the point of the diamond S3. The lens is then placed on the part 6G, the center of the lens being placed directly above the intersection of the two lines shown in Fig. 15 on the part GG. vThe hand-lever 74 is pressed down until the hook 7S engages with the tooth 79, the lens being thereby iirmly clamped between the parts 72 and 66 and by the same operation pressed iirmly down upon the point .of the diamond S3. The crank-handle 25 is then turned one revolution, which turns the vlens through one revolution and causes the diamond to cut the required ellipse therein with the utmost precision. The lens is now removed by releasing the hook 7 S from the pinl 7 9. The superfluous part of the lens can then be readily broken away. The handle 25 should not be turned more than a revolution, as the point of the diamond will be injured by retracing the same line.

The principle upon which the machine operates in cutting elliptical lenses will be best understood by reference to Figs. 3, 4, and lO. These views show the parts directly involved in producing the combined rotary and revolving translatory motion which produces the ellipse. In Fig. 3 the solid lines show the parts set concentrically for cutting a circle and the broken lines show the disk 34 adjusted eccentrically to cut an ellipse.

In Fig. 4 the solid lines show the parts in the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 3, and the broken lines show the position of the parts after the handle 25 has been rotated through one-quarter of a revolution. Let A represent a point directly over which the point of the diamond stands. In the form of the invention illustrated it should be remembered that the diamond is supported independently of the movable parts and is stationary at all times during the operation of vthe machine. Let B represent a point directly over which the center of the lens is placed. As the lens is secured to the parts attached to the disk 37, the point B will at all times coincide with the center of said disk.

It is readily seen that when the parts are in the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 3, and the machine is operated, vthe distance between A and B will be constant, as neither point changes its relative position to the other, and a circle will be traced upon the lens by the diamond. If, on the contrary, the parts be in the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 4, the distance from A to B, on starting the machine, will be the same as in the previous instance, and will equal one-half of the shorter axis of the ellipse, but as the lens rotates about the point B the point B itself will revolve in the small circle shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4 and the point B will thus recede from the point A, thus constantly lengthening the radius of the curve traced upon the lens, until the lens has performed one-fourth of a rotation around the point B, during which time the point B has performed one-half of a revolution and is in the position B, the distance fromA to B/ being equal to one-half of the longer axis of the ellipse. During the next quartenrotation of the lens around the point B said point B will approach the point A around the other half of the small dotted circle, thus constantly shortening the dis` IOO IIO

tance between A and Band forming the .secg ond quarter of the ellipse, at the end of which the .point B will be in its original position. The :second Ihalf of the ellipse is formed in thesame manner as the first, the poi-nt B retracing the :circular .path shown bythe dotted line, and thus again receding from and appreaching the point A. It is seen that while the lens rotates once about its center B' said center B performs tivo revolutions, .and

It is not necessary to start the ellipse at the l point described, but `it can be started `at any l other point as Well, the point selected being taken for convenience in describing the motion. The machine may also be used for `cutting circular lenses, such as are nsed in telescopes, microscopes, -opera-glasses, and the like. The parts shown in Figs. 3 and Alare covered by the cap 33, and the machine is set entirely by means of the graduations on the part `S9 and .the adjustment-nut 50.

lVhile in the speciiic .form of apparatus set forth I have described the lens Aas revolving and the diamond stationary, it is obviouslthat a machine in Which the Adiamond revolves or both the diamond and the lens revolve Will embody my invention. I do not Wish, therefore, to limit my invention `to the details set forthT as I am aware that many changes may be made in the machine set yforth and still be within the spirit of my invention.

Having fully set forth my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. In a lens-cuttingmachine, a main frame, lens clampingand holding devices, a movable framecarrying said lens holding and clamping devices and pivotally and yieldingly connected with the main frame, driving mechanism carried by said main frame and rotating the lens clamping and holding devices and imparting motion to said movable frame.

2. In a lens-cutting machine,amain frame,

the lens clamping and holding devices and.

imparting motion to said movable frame, and adjusting means determining the extent of movement of the said movable frame.

3. In a lens-cutting machine, a main frame,

lens clamping and holding devices, a movable frame carrying said lens holding and clamping devices and pivotally and yieldingly connected With the main frame, driving mechanl ism carried by said main frame and rotating the lens clamping and holding devices and imparting motion to said movable frame, ad-

devices which when operated torce the lens and diamond in contact.

5. In a lens-.cutting machine, lens-holding devices, a diamond normally out of `contact with the lens, clamping appliances forcing the lens-holding devices against the lens and moving them longitudinally, whereby the lens Will be moved in contact with the diamond.

`G. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond below the lens, a handle operating the upper lens holding and clamping device, and a spring normally maintaining the upper lens-holdin gdevices in a raised position.

7. In a lens-cutting machine, a frame, a sleeve :carried thereby, a stem Within said sleeve, `a cam-disk adapted to be .adjusted in and outof center by said stem, llens holding and clamping devices actuated bysaid camdisk., and driving mechanism rotating said lens holding and clampingdevices, whereby an elliptical motion will be imparted to the lens.

8. In Va lensacutting machine, a frame, Aa sleeve fcarried thereby., a stem Within said sleeve, a cam-fdisk :adapted to be adjusted in and out of center by said stem, lens holding and clamping ldevices actuated by said camdisk, driving mechanism rotating said lens holding and `clamping devices,anda movable frame having a vyielding `pivoted connection with the main frame, which movable frame permits the lens holding and `clamping devices to have a circular translatory motion.

9. In a lens-cutting machine, a frame, a sleeve carried thereby, a stem Within said sleeve, a cam-disk adapted to be `adjusted in and out of center by said stein, lens holding and clamping devices, rotary members carrying said lens holding and clam-ping devices and actuated by said cam-disk, said rotary members being `radially slotted at right angles to each other, a movable frame having a yielding pivoted connection with the main frame and `also carried by said rotary members, and driving mechanism rotating said rotary members.

l0. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond and diamond-holder, a spindle rotating said lensholding devices, rotary members carrying said spindle and capable themselves of circular translatory motion in addition to said rotary motion, and driving means operating said rotary members.

ll. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond and dia- IOO IIO

mond-holder, a spindle rotating the lensholding devices,` rotary members carrying said spindle and capable themselves of circular translatory motion in addition to said rotary motion, a cam-disk determining the eX- tent of the circular translatory motion of said rotary members, and driving means operating said rotary members.

12. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond and diamond-holder, a spindle rotating1 the lensholding devices, rotary members carrying said spindle and capable themselves of circular trauslatory motion in addition to said rotary motion, a cam-disk determining the eX- tent of the circular translatory motion of said rotary members, a stem adjusting said camdisk, a graduated nut on said stem, a locknut holding said graduated nut and stem in the position placed, and driving means operating said rotary members.

13. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond and diamon`d-holder,` a spindle rotating said lens holding and clamping devices, rotary members carrying said spindle and capable themselves of circular translatory motion in addition to said rotary motion, a slotted cam-disk determining the extent of said circular translatory motion, a rack secured to said camdisk, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a stem carrying said pinion and operating the cam-disk.

14. In a lens-cutting machine, lens holding and clamping devices, a diamond-holder, a support in which said diamond-holder is movably mounted, and automatically-operated means ;or turning said diamond-holder so that the same cutting-edge of the diamond is presented to the lens.

l5. In a lens cutting machine, a main frame,`lens clamping and holding devices, driving mechanism rotating said lens clamping and holding devices, a movable frame carrying said lens clamping and holding devices and pivotally and yieldingly connected with the main frame, a diamond-holder, a support in which the diamond-holder is movably mounted, and a substantially U-shaped part secured to said diamond-holder, thearms of said U-shaped part extending at either side of the movable frame whereby the m0- tion of said movable frame causes the diamond and holder to turn and thus present the same cutting-edge to the lens.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN BAPTISTE GURY. [L. s]

Witnesses:

A. C. FowLER, J. F. WESTON. 

